Parnell Vetoes Bill Separating Oil and Gas TaxesDave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
Governor Sean Parnell on Thursday vetoed the bill that would have separated oil taxes from natural gas taxes. It was originally proposed after economic analysts found that under current market conditions and taxes the state risked losing as much as $2 billion a year in revenue once gas is in the pipe.

Environmentalists Celebrate ANWR’s 50th Anniversary
Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC
Thousands of miles away from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Washington DC prominent environmentalists and members of Congress kicked off a celebration of the Refuge on Thursday. They’re marking 50 years since the region first became a federally protected area under President Dwight Eisenhower.

Cordova Students Experimenting with Lake MudDan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Cordova students are tapping lake mud to generate energy. The local science club project is an Alaska takeoff on manure based methane systems commonly used for cooking fuel in the world’s temperate zones. The high school students presented their research at the Rural Energy Conference in Fairbanks this week.

Young Alaska Native Leaders Encouraged to Take Larger RolesEllen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
Some seasoned Alaska Native leaders are looking for young Natives to fill their shoes when the time comes. At a recent forum, they invited Alaska Native students at the University of Alaska Anchorage to find out about leadership skills, and urged them to step up to the plate.

Marine Advisory Program May SurviveMatt Lichtenstein, KFSK – Petersburg
The University of Alaska’s Marine Advisory Program stands a good chance of getting the money it needs to keep offices open in five remote, coastal communities including Petersburg. After hearing extensive public support for the program, the Legislature budgeted roughly half the amount needed. The university has agreed to match that funding, if the governor approves it.

White House Kicks Off Anti-Meth Campaign Aimed At Native American YouthSteve Heimel, APRN – Anchorage
Obama administration drug Czar, Gil Kerlikowske kicked off an anti-Methamphetamine advertising campaign targeting Native American youth on Wednesday. The ads will appear in Alaska and 14 other states with high Native populations.

Buser’s Dogs Capture HeartsRosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
Four-time Iditarod champion Martin Buser has great stories to tell, but it’s his dogs that capture your heart. That was the case on Wednesday when a kennel of Buser sled dogs
showed up on the lawn of Centennial Hall in Juneau.